He’s playing a very good oblivious god figure, aloof and removed, but with obvious feelings and sentiment and expression on his face. Enough so that everyone around him can clearly read when he’s saying “humph, no!” he is really pleading for help. He’s seemed sad and miserable since the start of this show. I don’t want to see this guy get punished for his wrongdoings, I want to hug him and slowly explain what he did wrong so he can do better next time. He’s got lost child energy.

But for this particular drama… I suspect it might work better with a much more closed off, arrogant portrayal of the male lead. Like a much more exaggerated asshole god.

Imagine it! If this god was arrogant, self righteous, no doubt at all about himself (always thinks he’s correct, inspires fear, quick decisive responses to all situations). People may suspect he regrets things only cause he stomps around more and is angrier than usual. The type of smug guy who would show up with a flower, sweep a girl into his arms, and expect her to fall instantly in love with him. A tsundere of godlike proportions. Like the male lead’s performance in Kunning Palace. Just impossibly sure of himself, so much so that when anything goes outside their control they melt down into insane rage balls and basically revert to enormous terrifying toddlers.

It would be satisfying to see him get punished. So when the tables are turned and our girl overcomes him, we feel good to see him brought down.

And it would be satisfying to learn he has hidden nobility (that he’s very likely insecure about and hopes no one ever finds out about) - and was maybe saving lives on the sly or taking retribution lightning strikes for his gf in secret.

This occurred to me in the scene where the female lead is faking her death in the temple, asking him to watch over her sect when she is gone. And he immediately says “If you die, I will kill them all.” Like… what a line. What a jerk line that also reeks of love. And it just didn’t suit his character at all (the way he’s portraying it), he’s too obviously marshmallowy to put any weight to it. But such a line coming from another portrayal of this god… you’d have the immediate “shit, I better not die” flash through before you felt the second implication of care behind such a threat. Like the two seconds of panic are required for a line like that to work.

Even when he took her powers the first time, it was soooo painfully obvious he was conflicted and lying you kind of hated the female lead for being dumb enough not to realize he was pulling the old “go away, Lassie!” move.

The leading actress is good at playing very pretty but pretty normal people and she’s also good at playing scheming bitches who will stab you in the heart while maintaining eye contact. She’s less enjoyable when she’s in furniture mode - which has been half of this show - just endlessly bringing in dinner and shuffling around a manicured garden. But she does work better with more domineering male leading roles (or much, much more pitiful ones).

I just think this would have worked better if the actor, Joseph Zeng, was playing this part as a total jerk with absolute power. A much scarier guy. The type that would have a waitress fear for their lives if they accidentally spilled water on his sleeve. Ya’ll know what I mean. It would be more satisfying as a story.

Look at this sweet confused puppy face!!! I find it hard to believe THIS sentimental soft boy would not try to put out a fire.

Maybe Joseph Zeng is not cut out to play indifferent gods or villains.

But if we had a more severe Bai Jiusi… it would be more satisfying to watch him slowly learn to value humanity - under duress, annoyed by it, maybe even seriously pissed off about it, but still slowly discovering small heart shaped holes in his armor. If we had the type of guy who would flinch and scowl menacingly every time his oblivious neighbor put his arm around him. The type that people keep their distance from, except maybe one daring innocent child that worms their way into his heart. It just would have been better, given the script. I would have enjoyed watching an asshole learn his possessive love for his goddess girlfriend is insignificant compared to a compromising and trusting love that allows for mistakes and humility.

Right now I just feel confused about how I’m supposed to feel. How many more episodes are left in this disaster show anyways?